Kings edge Rangers to take 2-0 series lead

AFP, LOS ANGELES

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, left, fails to save the Los Angeles Kings’ game-winning goal in double overtime of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday.

Photo: AFP

Dustin Brown scored midway through double overtime on Saturday to lift the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-4 win over the New York Rangers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Brown positioned himself in front of the Rangers’ net and deflected a slap-shot from the point by defenseman Willie Mitchell for the winning goal on Saturday, giving the Kings a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Brown’s goal with 9 minutes, 34 seconds left in the second overtime marked the second straight game in which the Kings rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win in extra-time.

Brown was battling in front with New York defenseman Ryan McDonagh, but was able to bat Mitchell’s blast out of midair and past startled goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, ending the marathon contest.

“I think it started on the forecheck,” Brown said. “I’m not sure what defenseman it was. I just kind of chipped it behind him and got it around him. I picked up the puck and I gave it to Mitch, and just circled high, went around the net. I’m not sure what kind of happened in the high area there. I went to the net and kind of skated away from the net as he was shooting. I got a piece of it.”

Justin Williams was the Kings’ overtime hero in a 3-2 win in Game 1, in which Los Angeles rallied from a 2-0 first-period deficit.

“We have to be able to come back. You’re not going to lead every game,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said.

On Saturday, forward Marian Gaborik scored 7:36 into the third period to tie it at 4-4 and eventually force overtime after the Rangers had seized a similar 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

New York took a 4-2 lead into the third period, before Dwight King and Gaborik scored to level it. Mitchell and Jarret Stoll also scored a goal each for the Kings, who are seeking their second Stanley Cup in three years after winning it in 2012.

“We had a good run last year, too. You try and do it every year,” Sutter said.

Williams added three assists to bolster a 34-save performance by Jonathan Quick.

McDonagh, Mats Zuccarello, Martin St Louis and Derick Brassard scored for the Rangers, who are in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in two decades.

“It’s not going to be a cakewalk, this is the Stanley Cup final. We have to go back home and take care of business,” Rangers forward Derek Stepan said.

New York had several quality chances in the first overtime to win the game, but forward Chris Kreider could not buy a goal in the extra session. Kreider had three excellent scoring chances, including one shot that hit the post, a breakaway where he shot wide and a shot from in close with just 23 seconds left that goaltender Quick got his left leg-pad on.

“We played well,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. “We gave ourselves a chance to play. They’re a good team. We had some looks in overtime. Just couldn’t score.”

The series switches to New York for Games 3 and Game 4 today and Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.